As you have been learning from our strategies on creating mental strength and toughness, your self-talk is largely responsible for your confidence level, self-doubt, and your performance in pretty much everything.
But, let’s take it one step further.
Your self-talk creates a picture in your mind. And get this:
Your mind cannot tell the difference between what you vividly imagine, and what is reality.
So be careful of the thoughts you think and the pictures you create in your mind. Because whether you like it or not, your mind will make it a reality if you think these thoughts with enough repetition.
Here’s what we want you to do:
Create a picture in your mind that represents your future — maybe it is your most desired attainable goal, such as, rushing for 1,500 yards next season or winning your first tennis match (Sports analogies are great!). Notice how you feel as you picture the attainment of your goal.
Now, as if you have a dial that you can turn up and down, turn the brightness up, and make your picture bright, vibrant, and colorful. Notice how you feel now.
FOR EXAMPLE:
Maybe you are a sprinter. Picture yourself on the line ready to explode at the sound of the gun. Now crank up the dial and see the colors of the track, the lines, and the horizon become more vibrant, and more colorful … to the greatest detail. See and hear the explosion of the gun automatically forcing your body to ignite every fast-twitch muscle fiber off the line — leading the pack in the first 5 yards of the sprint (this is the first step to increasing your confidence).
But, if your inner self says, “You can’t get off the block very well, you are too slow, and lack explosiveness,” your mind carries a picture of this poor activity, and commands your mind to carry this poor performance out — causing your muscle fibers to respond slowly and hesitate at the sound of the gun. Now you are already two steps behind your competition.
This is what happens to most athletes and most people going after success.
But if you crank the dial up and create a bright, vibrant, detailed, and colorful picture, you are telling your mind to carry out this activity.
You are now a quantum leap closer to reaching your goal of igniting off the block with explosiveness (or whatever your goal).
Now, I’m sure you’ve heard the positive thinkers tell you to create a picture of what you want … and magically you shall have it. But, this theory is lacking because most people create a dim, dark picture; creating no action, and no result. So, if you want to get closer to your goals and make them a reality …
CRANK UP THE DIAL!
This simple exercise may give you the turning point you are looking for in your career. Please post your ideas and experiences in the discussion below, we are always happy to help.
Mental Strength 
